Kids' Foods: Convenience Vs. Nutrition

Sometimes, parents just want to feed their kids meals they'll eat without complaining.

While parents may wish they could fill their youngsters' bellies with apples, lettuce and lean chicken breast, that simply doesn't happen in real life (most of the time!). Kids like kid foods -- hot dogs, grilled cheese and peanut butter.

But some of those foods have more nutritional value than others. And it is possible to prepare kid-friendly food that also packs nutritional punch, according to Real Simple magazine (www.realsimple.com).

The question is, which foods are the healthiest?

To help with the answer, Real Simple's editors organized a game they called "Nutritional Smackdown."

The magazine's Kris Connell hosted it on The Early Show Wednesday, challenging the knowledge of co-anchor Harry Smith.

He was presented with eight pair of kid-friendly foods and, in each case, had to guess which was more nutritious, in part three of a weeklong Real Simple series on family matters.

Peanut Butter and Jelly vs. Ham and Swiss

Two tablespoons of any type of peanut butter provide about eight grams of protein, and are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which help increase good-cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease.

Hamburger vs. Hot Dog

Opt for a burger, which is lower in saturated fat, contains a healthy dose of B vitamins, and is an excellent source of protein.

Carrots vs. Peas

Peas are a fine choice, but carrots have more nutritional value. They are higher in antioxidants, including beta-carotene.

Pizza vs. Grilled Cheese

Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, no matter the dish, but this choice comes down to how and where the meal is made. Pizza probably comes from a delivery person; grilled cheese is usually made at home, where you can control the types of cheese and amounts of butter and bread. Plus, grilled cheese has built-in portion control.

Chicken Nuggets vs. Fish Sticks

Fish sticks have Omega-3 fatty acids, and every little bit of these acids helps. They are critical for neurological and cognitive development, and may reduce asthma, eczema and allergies. You're more likely to get your toddler to eat fish sticks than a salmon fillet, so get those Omega-3s in where you can.

Orange Juice vs. Apple Juice

Orange Juice is the better choice: Eight ounces of 100 percent natural juice has more than twice the amount of Vitamin C recommended for kids ages 1 to 13, and six times the amount found in apple juice. Also, regularly consuming oranges and OJ may reduce the risk of childhood leukemia.

SpaghettiOs vs. Chicken Noodle Soup

SpaghettiOs are fortified with nine vitamins and minerals and have quite a bit of fiber and protein. They also have less sodium than the canned soup. One drawback: They are sweetened with 13 grams of sugar per one-cup serving.

Fruit Leather vs. Granola Bar?

One-hundred percent natural fruit leather has about 45 calories and a short list of ingredients, making it the obvious choice. Even brands that add corn syrup are much lower in fat and calories than granola bars.